Sunday, February 15, 2009

Galen Rupp Sets American Record For 5K Indoors

Rupp, who took the lead with 600 meters left and held onto it until about 200 left, was beaten to the finish line over the last lap by Ethiopian Bekana Daba. Rupp finished in 13 minutes, 18.12 seconds. That broke Doug Padilla's record of 13:20.55 set in 1982 in New York. -oregonlive.com

MY COMMENT: Doug Padilla still had an American record? I saw him recently taking photos at a U of Washingtion track meet- he's an assistant at BYU. I always enjoyed watching him run- very smooth and very tough.

Rupp will have his hands full with indoor and outdoor obligations running for the U of Oregon, but I would love to see him race this summer. I still think Chris Solinsky will be tough to beat based on what I've been reading, although he may be in the steeplechase instead of the 5K. Can't take anything away from Rupp- first ever sub 13:20 indoors by an American.